Published: Wednesday, 6th August, 2008 09:00
Melrose residents bring home concerns
By Ally McGilvray
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A FRAIL pensioner was forced to crawl down onto her hands and knees to pick weeds from her garden in an effort to shame the company she pays to do the work into action, it has been claimed.
However, this week angry residents at the Dingleton Apartments in Melrose were still waiting for estate factors Dingleton Management, based over 350 miles away in Hertfordshire, to fix a catalogue of faults - more than a year after first raising concerns over the state of the building.
They pay £50 every month towards the maintenance of the property, which sits in the shadow of the Eildon Hills, but with little evidence of any work being carried out, including the upkeep of the communal entrance, they fear the charges (which they estimate between 72 flats to total £42,000 a year) may be an elaborate scam.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph, one resident who did not wish to be named said: It was supposed to be our dream home, but instead it is turning into a nightmare.
A pile of gravel, unused slates and overgrowing weeds greet residents on their arrival at the luxury apartments situated at the end of a pot-holed road which they argue was supposed to be landscaped.
Hertfordshire-based Rivertree Developments was responsible for developing the property, formerly a mental hospital, to meet demand for new housing in the area.
But, despite the apartments being sold for prices in excess of £250,000, residents have complained that the secure entry phone system still does not work, there is no emergency light in the fire exit and a fire door has to be left opened to stop it from jamming.
Concerns have also been raised over a water leak, which has left an unsightly stain on the front of the imposing building, and unsteady manhole covers at the back, which it is alleged pose a safety risk.
One frustrated couple, who instructed a solicitor to help, demanded details of how their money is being spent and what action is being taken for any outstanding work.
But, when they complained, Dingleton Management warned them the annual maintenance charge could be hiked up.
In a letter from the estate factors in February, they were told an electrician was in the process of repairing the secure entry system to the apartments but, almost six months on, it is still not in working order.
The couple were also told their money contributed towards the cost of building insurance, however they have so far been unable to obtain a copy of any documents as proof.
Now the majority of residents have signed a petition demanding action and await a reply.
One resident said: We would like Dingleton Management to do the honourable thing and fix these problems because they are being paid for it.
If things are not being attended to what other conclusion can we come to other than this is a scam?
Trading Standards said it was a civil matter between the residents and the estate factors.
But nobody at Dingleton Management was available for comment.
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